Memory loss

Definition

Memory loss (amnesia) is unusual forgetfulness.

Alternative Names

Forgetfulness; Amnesia; Impaired memory; Loss of memory; Mild cognitive impairment

Considerations

The cause determines whether amnesia comes on slowly or suddenly, and whether it is temporary or permanent.

Normal aging may lead to trouble learning new material or requiring a longer time to remember learned material. However, it does not lead to dramatic memory loss unless diseases are involved.

Common Causes

Aging
Alcoholism
Alzheimer's disease
Brain damage due to disease or injury
Brain growths (caused by tumors or infection)
Brain infections such as Lyme disease or syphilis
Depression or emotional trauma
Drugs such as barbiturates or benzodiazepines
Electroconvulsive therapy (especially if it is long-term)
Encephalitis of any type (herpes, West Nile , Eastern Equine)
General anesthetics such as halothane, isoflurane, and fentanyl
Head trauma or injury
Hysteria, often accompanied by confusion
Illness that results in the loss of nerve cells (neurodegenerative illness)
Nutritional problems (vitamin deficiencies such as low vitamin B12)
Seizures
Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Transient global amnesia
Temporal lobe brain surgery

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Memory loss

Review Date: 11/13/2008
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).